Fluid dispensing device



July 27, 1965 c. F. PEARL ETAL FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE Filed May 6, 1965 im. .E

United States Patent O 3,197,070 FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE (Zurtis F. Pearl, West Englewood, NJ., and .lack W. Kalbfeld, Gld Bethpage, NFI., assignors to Roy M. Bloom, New York, N .Y.

Filed May 6, 1963, Ser. No. 27S,109 Claims. (Cl. 222-79) This invention relates to a fluid dispensing device, and more particularly to such a device useful as a simulated llame thrower toy for children, or as a garden sprayer for spraying insecticides or the like.

It is among the objects of this invention to provide a fluid dispensing device for projecting fine streams of water or other suitable iiuids over a considerable distance.

Y et a further object of the invention is to provide such a device simulating a llame thrower which may be en ployed in the manner of a toy water gun.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE l is a schematic perspective View showing a child using an embodiment of the invention in the form of a simulated dame thrower toy;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation showing the leading end of the hand-carried pump body of the toy;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section taken longitudinally of the pump body, viewed in the direction of line 3 3 in FIGURE 2, with the plunger thereof in the forward position;

FIGURE 4 is a partially cut-away view similar to FIG- URE 3, with the plunger thereof shown in its retracted position, and v FIGURE 5 is a vertical section viewed in the direction of line 5-5 in FIGURE 4.

The fluid dispensing device of the invention, which may be utilized as a simulated llame thrower as in the illustrated embodiment, comprises a hand-carried pump body which is connected to a separate fluid container interconnected by a flexible tube. The pump body includes a pressure cylinder having three cylindrical sections, the intermediate section of which possesses a larger diameter than the front and rear sections.

Mounted within the rear section ofthe pressure cylinder contained within the pump body, for movement axially thereof, is a hollow plunger, one end of which extends out of the pump body and is connected to the flexible tube, and the opposite, forward end of which has an apertured piston face, and an associated valve element opening under the dierential uid pressure produced on opposite sides thereof.

A power piston is mounted within the intermediate and front sections of the pump body, having a larger portion disposed in the intermediate, larger diameter section and a smaller portion including an apertured piston face disposed in the front section thereof, and having a valve elevent associated with the apertured piston face opening under the differential fluid pressure on opposite sides thereof.

The force exerted by the power piston of the device is equal to the force applied to the plunger multiplied by the ratio of the stroke of the plunger to that of the power piston. Hence if, as in the illustrated embodiment described hereinafter, the ratio of the respective piston strokes is about 9:1, when about 1 pound force is applied to the plunger the power piston exerts about 9 pounds force. Moreover, the ratio of the uid pressure adjacent the apertured piston face of the power piston to the iluid pressure adjacent the larger portion of the piston is inversely proportioned to the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the respective portions of the power piston. The

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substantial pressure thus produced by movement of the apertured piston face of the power piston, upon the application of a relatively slight force to the hollow plunger of the device, facilitates projecting water or other suitable fluid through an oriiice over a relatively great distance. In the preferred device described below, for example, water may be projected more than 25 feet, with the application of no more than about one pound force.

Turning now to the specific embodiment illustrated, as shown in FIGURE l a child is depicted carrying a simulated tiarne thrower toy comprising the hand-carried pump body 11 of the present invention, connected to a separate uid container 12 by a flexible tube 13. The iluid container, which may suitably be filled with water, is included in an assembly of dummy tanks 14 which are mounted on the childs back by straps to simulate a llame thrower assembly.

As illustrated in greater detail in FIGURES 2 to 4, inclusive, the pump body 11 comprises an outer housing 15 designed to simulate the appearance of a flame thrower; for this purpose the outer housing is molded or otherwise formed with a pistol grip 16 and a flash guard 17 thereon. It will of course be understood that the configuration of the outer housing does not form a part of the present invention and may be changed when the device is designed for other uses, e.g., as a garden sprayer.

The pump body 11 comprises a housing enclosing a pressure cylinder 18 including three cylindrical sections;`

a rear cylinder section 19 disposed adjacent the trailing end of the body and extending lengthwise of the major portion thereof, a front or power cylinder section 2Q disposed adjacent the leading end of the pump body and an intermediate or multiplying cylinder section 21 positioned between sections 19 and 24).

The rear' cylinder section 19 has a hollow plunger, indicated generally at 22,.mounted for movement longitudinally thereof. The rearward end of the plunger 22 (the left hand end viewing FIGURES 3 and 4) has a piece 23 suitably secured thereto, as by gluing, about which piece the tube 13 is frictionally fitted. Mounted upon the end of the plunger 22 and the abutting end of the flexible tube 13 is a suitable handle grip 24, which further secures the flexible tube to the pump body 11, and facilitates the users grasp of the plunger. The handle grip additionally serves as a stop, limited the inward stroke of the plunger 22 from the position shown in FIGURE 4 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 of the drawing.

At the opposite, forward end (the right hand end viewing FIGURES 3 and 4) of plunger 22 an apertured piston face 25 is provided. Mounted adjacent the piston face is a ball check valve 26 including a housing 27 containing a ball Z8 biased into a closed position by a ball check spring 29.

As will be described more fully hereinafter the valve 26 opens, responsive to the differential liuid pressure produced on its opposite sides during retraction of the plunger 22 (and the power piston described below) into the position shown in FIGURE 4. On the other hand, during the forward stroke of the plunger 22 and the power piston (from the position shown in FIGURE 4 to that illustrated in FIGURE 3) the ball check valve remains closed.

The plunger 22 is sealed within the pressure cylinder 1S by means of an end cap 31 and O-ring 32, and is positioned for movement axially of the rear cylinder section 19 of the pressure cylinder by a guide member 33.

A power piston 34 is mounted for movement axially through the multiplying cylinder section 21 and the adjacent power cylinder section 20 of the pressure cylinder. This piston includes a lirst segment abutting the walls of the multiplying cylinder section having a piston cap 34 and an abutting sealing O-ring 36, and a second segenamoro A FB ment defined by the cylindrical Walls 3'7 of the power piston which terminates in an apertured piston face 33 at the forward end thereof. A compression spring V39 is mounted annularly of the power piston 34 biasing the same toward the position shown in FIGURE 4.

Positioned adjacent the piston face 3d is a second ball check valve itl including a ball check housing 41'containing a ball 42 biased into a closed position by a ball check spring 43.

The valve 4d, like the valve 25 described above, opens during retractionV of the power piston 34 and plunger 22 into their respective positions illustrated in FIGURE 4. During the forward stroke of the plunger and the power piston (from the positions shown in FIGURE 4 toY those illustrated in FIGURE 3) the valve 40 closes responsive to the differential fluid pressure produced on its opposite sides, permitting the piston face 3S torforce fluid outwardly of the device.

Mounted within the power cylinder section 2li of the pressure cylinder, adjacent the power piston 34, is a third ball c teck valve 44 including a ball check housing 45 containing a ball 46 biased into a closed position against the valve aperture by a ball check spring 47. An orice 4S is provided in the front wall 49 of the pressure cylinder in alignment with this ball check valve.

As indicated below, during retraction of the plunger 2 and the power piston 34, the valve 44, unlike the valves 26 and 4d, closes responsive to the partial vacuum produced in the power cylinder section 2%, to facilitate filling of the rearward portions of the pressure cylinder with fluid. During the forward stroke of the plunger and the power piston the valve 44 opens to permit the pressured flow of a fine stream of uid through the Yorifice 48 outwardly of the device.

In operation, after ejecting the stream of fluid from the simulated flame thrower and upon retracting the plunger 22 from the position shown in FIGURE 3 toward the position illustrated in FIGURE4, the force of the compres-- sion spring 39 drives the power piston 34 to its retracted position. The simultaneous displacement of the piston facesZS ofthe plunger 22 and the power piston 34 produces a partial vacuum in the rear cylinder section i9 and the multiplying cylinder section 2i. The resulting differential pressure on opposite sides of the ball check valve 26 draws fluid into the pressure cylinder from the plunger 22 connected to the fluid container 12.

Simultaneously, retraction of the power piston 34 by the action of the compression spring 39 creates a partial vacuum in the power cylinder section Ztl. The differen-y tial pressure thus produced opens the valve 4), permitting fluid to flow into section Ztl from the rear and multiplyingicylinder sections.

At the same time the ball 46 of the third ballcheck valve 44 is forced, by the pressure differential produced between the power cylinder section 26 and the outside atmosphere, against the valve aperture to thereby'facilitate the flow of fluid into the power cylinder section from the rearwardportions of the Vpressure cylinder. It will be noted that closing of the ball check valve 44 during retraction of the plunger 22 additionally prevents any discharge of fluid from the leading end of the simulated flame thrower durin the retraction operation.

Hence, during the retraction the valves 26 and 49 are opened and the valve 44 closed to permit filling of the pressure cylinder with fluid for subsequent ejection l When the plunger 22 is moved in its forward stroke toward the position illustrated in FIGURE 3, the forward displacement of piston face 25 of plunger 22 forces the fluid in front of the piston face to push the power piston 34 to the right, viewing FIGURES 3 and 4; the resulting displacement of the piston face 38 of the power piston forces the fluid in the power cylinder section 2t) of the pressure cylinder outwardly thereof, ejecting it in a fine stream through orifice 4S.

As indicated hereinabove the application of a relatively small amount of force on the plunger 22 acting through its relatively long stroke does a relatively large amount of work on the fluid fed through the pressure cylinder; moreover, the fluid pressure produced adjacent the aperured face 33 of power piston 34 is increased in proportion to the ratio of the cross sections of the segments of such piston. The pressure of such fluid opens the ball check valve 44 and forces a pressured stream of fluid through the orifice 48 outwardly of the simulated flame thrower.

In one embodiment of the simulated flame thrower illustrated, the plunger 22 included a piston face 25 having a 3A inch diameter, and the power piston 34 comprised a first segment ilttingclosely within a 2% inch LD. mui# tiplying cylinder section 21 and a second segment abutting the walls of a 1% inch I D. power cylinder section 2Q. VThe ratio of the stroke of the plunger to the stroke of the power piston was about 9:1. Employing such device, it was found possible to project a fine pressured stream of water about 4G to 60 feet from the pump body, applying only about one pound force to the plunger 22.

While in the preceding description the invention has been principally described in connection wth its embodiment in a simulated flame thrower toy it will be understood that the dispensing device hereof may additionally be employed for other purposes, eg., as a garden sprayer. Since this and other changes may be made in the specic embodiment described without departing from the scope of the invention it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive privilene or property is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A fluid dispensing device comprising a hand-carried pump body containing a pressure chamber including a rear section disposed adjacent the trailing end of the body and extending lengthwise of the major portion thereof, a front section disposed adjacent the leading end of the pump body and an intermediate section having a greater cross-sectional area then said front and rear sections, the pressure chamber containing:

(a) a hollow plunger mounted for movement longitudinally of the rear seition of the pressure chamber, one end of said plunger extending out of the pump body and the opposite, forward end thereof having an apertured piston face, and an associated valve means opening under differential fluid pressure proddced on opposite'sides thereof;

(b) a power piston mounted for movement lon gitudinally of the intermediate and front sections of the pressure chamber, said power piston having a first portion disposed in said intermediate section and a sec- Y ond, smaller portion including an apertured piston face disposed in said front section, and a valve means associated with the apertured piston face `opening under the differential fluid pressure porduced on 0pposite sides thereof; and

(c) means connecting said front section of the pressure chamber with the exterior, leading end of the pump body to facilitate fluid passage under pressure rom theV body cavity to the atmosphere.

2. The fluid dispensing device defined in claim 1, in which the valve means associated withk the hollow plunger is a one-way ball check valve mounted at the forward end of the plunger adjacent the apertured piston face thereof, and in which the valve means associated with the power piston is a one-way ball check valve mounted in alignment with and adjacent the aperture of the piston face of the power piston.

3. The fluid dispensing device defined in claim 2, including a third one-way ball check valve mounted in the front section of the pump body adjacent said power piston.

4. A simulated llame thrower toy for dispensing water 0T OhCI fluid under pressure, comprising a hand-carried pump body containing an elongated pressure cylinder including a rear cylinder section disposed adjacent the trailing end of the body and extending lengthwise ofthe major portion thereof, a power cylinder section disposed adjacent the leading end of the pump body and an intermediate multiplying cylinder section having a greater diameter than the rear and power cylinder sections, the pump body containing:

(a) a hollow cylindrical plunger mounted for axial movement through the rear cylinder section of the pressure cylinder, said plunger having (1) means at one end extending out of the pump body,

(2) an apertured piston face at the opposite, forward end thereof, and

(3) a one-way ball check valve mounted at the forward end of the plunger adjacent the apertured piston -face thereof, said valve opening under differential pressure produced on opposite sides thereof;

(b) a cylindrical power piston mounted for movement axially of the multiplying and power cylinder sections of the pressure cylinder, said power piston including:

(1) a first segment whose walls abut the walls of said multiplying cylinder section,

(2) a second segment whose walls abut the Walls of said power cylinder section, and which includes an apertured piston face disposed in said section,

(3) a one-way ball check valve mounted in alignment with and adjacent the aperture of the last mentioned piston face, said ball check valve opening under differential pressure on opposite sides thereof; and

(c) a one-way ball check valve mounted in said power cylinder section adjacent said power piston and in alignment with the aperture in the piston face thereof.

5. The simulated ame thrower toy defined in claim 4, in which the ratio of the stroke of the cylindrical plunger to the stroke of the power piston is 9:1 and the ratio of the diameter of the multiplying cylinder section of the pressure cylinder to the power cylinder section thereof is 2: 1.

References Cited bythe Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A FLUID DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING A HAND-CARRIED PUMP BODY CONTAINING A PRESSURE CHAMBER INCLUDING A REAR SECTION DISPOSED ADJACENT THE TRAILING END OF THE BODY AND EXTENDING LENGTHEWISE OF THE MAJOR PORTION THEREOF, A FRONT SECTION DISPOSED ADJACENT THE LEADING END OF THE PUMP BODY AND AN INTERMEDIATE SECTION HAVING A GREATER CROSS-SECTIONAL AREA THEN SAID FRONT AND REAR SECTIONS, THE PRESSURE CHAMBER CONTAINING: (A) A HOLLOW PLUNGER MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF THE REAR SECTION OF THE PRESSURE CHAMBER, ONE END OF SAID PLUNGER EXTENDING OUT OF THE PUMP BODY AND THE OPPOSITE, FORWARD END THEREOF HAVING AN APERTURED PISTON FACE, AND AN ASSOCIATED VALVE MEANS OPENING UNDER DIFFERENTIAL FLUID PRESSURE PRODUCED ON OPPOSITE SIDES THEREOF; (B) A POWER PISTON MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT LONGITUDINAL- 